Men's Issues Counselling in Bristol

I specialise in mental health challenges and men's related issues such as barriers to intimacy, ED, low sex drive, pornography addiction, and relationship or social challenges. In psychotherapy sessions I provide a confidential setting that encourages you to reflect on your journey. We will explore the feelings, emotions and impact significant events have had on the way you experience day-to-day life. We will work through your thought process moving towards the version of you that you've always wanted to be. Who is that person? Are they confident in themselves? And, do they allow themselves to smile, laugh and be happy?

Counselling is a place to explore our thoughts, feelings and emotions. A chance to explore our life direction. An opportunity to pause and understand where we are and what is happening in our lives right now. It is a place to explore past and present events or traumas and a space to speak out loud thoughts that had previously been unspeakable.

Does you best simply never feel enough? Do you worry endlessly about what others think of you? Perhaps you spend days and weeks dwelling on mistakes you've made and your fear you'll always end up a failure? Depression and anxiety will do that to you but the important thing to remember is that these thoughts (however powerful) are just that - thoughts. Thoughts aren't facts and there's no reason you have to fall victim to them anymore.

People come to counselling for all sorts of reasons. Whatever is going on for you, I offer a safe and non-judgemental space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions and the challenges you are going through. I have experience working with anxiety, anger, self-esteem, relationships, abuse, trauma, guilt and shame. Specialising in work with LGBTQ+ clients, I have worked with a wide range of issues around gender and sexual relationship diversity. Whilst these may or may not be the focus of our work together, I provide a space where clients can consider how these aspects of identity affect their wider lives.

Counselling can help you to find a way forward with personal issues such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. It can also help to overcome problems that are causing you emotional turmoil such as relationship issues and loss. In truth you can talk about anything that is on your mind. Some of the issues that people can find themselves trying to manage and which I can help with: Anxiety, Depression, Abuse, Childhood pain, Gender issues, Loss, Bereavement, Heart break, Loneliness, Low self-esteem, Relationship struggles, Life transitions.

People come to psychotherapy for all kinds of different reasons. Perhaps a particular issue is making life very difficult, or maybe you have more general feelings of discontentment, unease or unhappiness that you want to address. One-to-one psychotherapy can help by providing a safe, therapeutic space in which you feel able to explore and express difficult thoughts, feelings and memories. This process of deep exploration helps you to grow and develop in areas that have previously felt stuck, painful or have been blocked out.

You have taken a brave step. Something has brought you to this moment, to seek support and address whatever is troubling you. Finding a counsellor you feel comfortable with and able to talk to is an important decision. I offer a warm, kind, and gentle space where you can explore your challenges at your own pace. I use a person-centered approach, meaning I believe you are the expert on your own experience. I will listen attentively and without judgement, offering support and guidance as you discover your own path to healing and growth.

Hey, I’m Addam. Finding support at a difficult time can be challenging, so I’m glad you’re here. Whatever your reasons for seeking out counselling, I am here to listen, aim to understand and to work collaboratively with you to create a space where you can process and explore what you need to at your own pace. I have experience working with anxiety, identity, racialised trauma, migrant trauma, self-esteem, shame and suicidal ideation, and a wide range of issues connected to gender, sexuality and relationship diversity. Whilst these may or may not be the focus of our work together, the space is there for these aspects if you need it.

If you are on this page, you are considering counselling. Seeking counselling and potentially talking to a stranger about your emotions can be incredibly intimidating/daunting but this is a sign that you feel there is a need for change. Through counselling, we can explore what is important to you, at your own pace and work towards enrichment.

Many of us carry deep wounds from our childhoods and early lives, often without being completely conscious of it. Still raw, or thickly scarred, these traumas can manifest in our adult lives, through sensitivity to hurt, inflexibility or unhelpful, self defeating behaviours. In time these unhealed wounds can wreak havoc in our lives and relationships. When this day comes we are left with two choices, either carry on as best we can, condemned to repeat the hurts of the past, or learn to give ourselves the care and love we have always deserved. Counselling offers an opportunity to begin a new life of healing and growth.

Specialising in Men's mental health. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). I work with all adults and young people who come to me with a diverse range of presenting issues, with a particular emphasis on addressing issues such as anxiety, depression, and relationship issues. My belief rests on the notion that every person possesses an innate drive to achieve their utmost potential, to grow, and to become the finest version of themselves. This belief serves as a guiding principle as I strive to create a confidential, supportive, empathic, and non-judgemental environment.

Are you finding it hard to connect with people and feel understood? Maybe you’re trying to make sense of a relationship; you used to get on but something’s changed and the idea of talking about it makes your heart race? Or perhaps you have tried but it’s left you feeling ashamed and hurt. Counselling can make room for change.

Maybe the reason you are here today is because you are experiencing feelings that you would rather not continue to carry alone. My practice is called ‘Accanto’ and I have built my service around this name, which translated means ‘next to or beside,’ and quite simply that is exactly where I will be for you. I do have an A-Z of what I cover but actually this is about YOU feeling that you can bring anything you need into the space that I offer. Counselling is initially about feeling better about all the different parts of yourself, learning to love your whole self so that you can then invite love and acceptance from others.

Counselling & Psychotherapy are positive and practical steps you can take to initiate change and improve your life, I offer you a confidential space where you will be seen and heard in a caring non-judgemental way.

Life can be stressful and full of uncertainty, so as a Counselling Psychologist I will use a variety of theories from my years of training and beyond to treat you as a whole person who is more than just their struggles, insecurities and pain. Therapy can help you deeply explore your past or give you tools to cope better in the present. It can allow someone else to understand you so that eventually you can understand yourself. I am a relatable and down to earth person and my aim is to make you feel safe, listened to, valued and understood so that you can build self-awareness, self-compassion and self-acceptance.

I am experienced working with adults on a broad range of issues. I have a special interest in working with neurodiversity, particularly adult awareness / late diagnosis of ADHD, its emotional impact and affect on past and present behaviour and relationships. I also work with men’s issues, for example expectations/roles/identity, parenting, emotional awareness, expression and safety, and interpersonal and intimate relationships. In my experience, doing this work with another man can be especially meaningful.

Update: As of July 2024, I am OPEN to new enquiries. With over 20 years in practice, my main objective is for you to know that you are welcome exactly as you are. Whatever is on your mind can be explored in a non-critical and open way. I want you to know that you are safe in your counselling sessions. You can rest assured that it is okay to ‘blurt it all out’, because we will be able to make sense of things together. You can also take your time to think and be quiet as you gather your thoughts. There is no pressure to go into topics you don’t want to speak about. In short, you can come exactly as you are.

We live in a culture that promotes the idea of strong, powerful individuals who live picture perfect lives. There is little room for showing our vulnerability, or our need for connection. There is a cultural expectation that when things are difficult for us we should just 'get over it' and not make a fuss, this might manifest in you with thoughts of "what's wrong with me", "why is this so hard" and "I should be able to manage by myself" and so on! You may be feeling fragmented, ​disconnected, numb, overwhelmed, fearful, unable to cope, you might feel like giving up.

I am a trainee psychotherapist in my final year. I have been offering low cost psychotherapy to my clients in Bristol for the last three years. Particular areas of interest/experience include living with chronic ill-health and supporting those who are living with ill health, the challenges face by neurodivergent people, LQBTQ+ life and non-traditional models of relationship. I love working with a broad and diverse range of clients in my practice and enjoy discovering how to best support every new client, irrespective of their background, life experiences or presenting issue(s).